Biology Study Guide Flashcards

A set of flashcards covering key concepts from biology chapters related to life processes, digestion, nutrition, and the circulatory and reproductive systems.

What are the three categories of animal diets based on what they eat?

Herbivores (eat plants), Carnivores (eat other animals), and Omnivores (eat both plants and animals).

What are nutrients?

Chemical substances that we consume in food that play important physiological functions.

What are the main types of nutrients needed by humans?

Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, mineral salts, fiber, and water.

What is dietary fiber?

A type of carbohydrate that aids in bowel movement but is not digested by humans.

What is the role of unsaturated fats in the diet?

They serve as a healthier alternative to saturated fats and provide necessary energy.

What do proteins do in the body?

They are made of amino acids and are necessary for growth, enzyme and hormone synthesis, and tissue repair.

What happens to excess amino acids in the body?

They are converted into carbohydrates and ammonia during deamination.

What is malnutrition?

A condition resulting from an unbalanced diet, leading to either excess or deficiency of nutrients.

What is the body mass index (BMI)?

A ratio of a person's weight in kilograms divided by their height in meters squared.

What is kwashiorkor?

A life-threatening condition caused by protein deficiency in a diet, often seen in impoverished areas.

What is marasmus?

A form of malnutrition linked to starvation, characterized by a lack of proteins and other nutrients.

What is the digestive system responsible for?

Breaking down food into nutrients, absorbing these nutrients into the blood, and eliminating waste.

What are the primary components of the digestive system?

The digestive tract (alimentary canal) and accessory organs such as the liver and pancreas.

What is the primary function of the pancreas in digestion?

To produce pancreatic juice, which contains enzymes that aid in the digestion of food.

Explain homeostasis.

The tendency of a living organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

What is the function of hormones in the body?

Chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate activity of specific tissues.

What does ATP stand for, and why is it important?

Adenosine triphosphate; it is the primary energy carrier in cells.

What is cellular respiration?

The process by which energy is produced from food in the presence of oxygen.

What role does insulin play in blood sugar regulation?

It lowers blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake in cells and glycogen storage in the liver.

What are rods and cones?

Rods and cones are photoreceptor cells in the retina of the eye that detect light and color.

What is the function of rods?

Rods are responsible for vision in low-light conditions and do not detect color.

What is the function of cones?

Cones enable color vision and are responsible for visual acuity in bright light conditions.

What is the digestive system?

The digestive system is a group of organs responsible for the breakdown and absorption of food.

What are the main enzymes involved in digestion?

Key digestive enzymes include amylase, protease, and lipase, which break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, respectively.

How do digestive enzymes function?

Digestive enzymes catalyze chemical reactions to break down macromolecules into absorbable units.

What is malnutrition?

Malnutrition refers to a condition where a person's diet lacks essential nutrients or when the body cannot effectively utilize the consumed nutrients.

What is marasmus?

Marasmus is a severe form of undernutrition characterized by extreme weight loss and muscle wasting due to prolonged inadequate caloric intake.

What is kwashiorkor?

Kwashiorkor is a form of severe malnutrition caused by inadequate protein intake, leading to swelling, irritability, and other health complications.

What is reproduction?

Reproduction is the biological process by which organisms produce new individuals of the same species.

What are the two main types of reproduction?

The two main types of reproduction are asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction.

What is asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction where a single organism produces offspring identical to itself, without the involvement of gametes.

What is sexual reproduction?

Sexual reproduction involves the combination of genetic material from two parent organisms, resulting in genetically diverse offspring.

What is fertilization?

Fertilization is the process by which a sperm cell unites with an egg cell to form a zygote, initiating the development of a new organism.

What role do hormones play in reproduction?

Hormones regulate various reproductive processes, including gamete production, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy maintenance.

What is the purpose of reproduction in living organisms?

The primary purpose of reproduction is to ensure the continuation of a species and to promote genetic diversity.

What are the primary organs involved in human reproduction?

The primary organs involved in human reproduction are the ovaries, testes, uterus, and penis.

What is the function of the ovaries?

The ovaries produce eggs (ova) and secrete hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle and support pregnancy.

What is the function of the testes?

The testes produce sperm and secrete hormones such as testosterone, which is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics.

What is the role of the uterus in reproduction?

The uterus is responsible for nurturing and housing a developing fetus during pregnancy.

What is the function of the penis in reproduction?

The penis delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract during sexual intercourse and also serves as a conduit for urine.

What are gametes?

Gametes are reproductive cells—the egg in females and sperm in males—that unite during fertilization to form a zygote.

What is the role of the fallopian tubes?

The fallopian tubes transport the egg from the ovaries to the uterus and are also the site where fertilization typically occurs.

What is the function of the vagina?

The vagina serves as the birth canal during delivery, receives the penis during intercourse, and is part of the pathway for menstrual fluid to exit the body.

What are the four main types of teeth in humans?

The four main types of teeth in humans are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

What is the function of incisors?

Incisors are the front teeth that are primarily used for cutting and slicing food.

What is the function of canines?

Canines are pointed teeth located next to incisors that are used for tearing food.

What is the function of premolars?

Premolars are flat-topped teeth located behind canines that are used for grinding and crushing food.

What is the function of molars?

Molars are large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth that are used for grinding and chewing food thoroughly.

How many incisors do adults typically have?

Adults typically have eight incisors, four on the top and four on the bottom.

How many canines do adults usually have?

Adults usually have four canines, two on the top and two on the bottom.

How many premolars do adults have?

Adults typically have eight premolars, four on the top and four on the bottom.

How many molars do adults generally have?

Adults generally have twelve molars, six on the top and six on the bottom, which includes the four third molars, or wisdom teeth, that may be removed or not present in some individuals.

What are the main parts of the digestive system?

The main parts of the digestive system include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

What is the function of the mouth in digestion?

The mouth is responsible for mechanical digestion (chewing) and chemical digestion (saliva breaking down carbohydrates).

What role does the esophagus play in digestion?

The esophagus is a muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach via peristalsis.

What is the primary function of the stomach?

The stomach breaks down food using gastric juices and enzymes, turning it into a semi-liquid form called chyme.

What is the function of the small intestine in digestion?

The small intestine is where most digestion and nutrient absorption occurs, using enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver.

What is the role of the large intestine in digestion?

The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from undigested food, forming and storing feces.

What is the purpose of the rectum?

The rectum stores feces until it is expelled from the body during defecation.

What is the function of the anus?

The anus is the final part of the digestive system, regulating the expulsion of feces from the body.

What are the main parts of the heart?

The main parts of the heart include the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle, aorta, pulmonary arteries, and valves.

What is the function of the right atrium?

The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cavae.

What role does the right ventricle play in the heart's function?

The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary arteries for oxygenation.

What is the function of the left atrium?

The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the pulmonary veins.

What is the function of the left ventricle?

The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body through the aorta, providing systemic circulation.

What is the purpose of the heart valves?

The heart valves (tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, aortic) ensure one-way flow of blood through the heart chambers and prevent backflow.

What is the function of the aorta?

The aorta is the largest artery in the body, distributing oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the systemic circulation.

What is the purpose of the pulmonary arteries?

The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.

What are the two main types of systole?

The two main types of systole are atrial systole and ventricular systole.

What occurs during atrial systole?

During atrial systole, the atria contract to push blood into the ventricles, completing the filling of the ventricles.

What happens during ventricular systole?

During ventricular systole, the ventricles contract to eject blood into the aorta and pulmonary arteries.

What is diastole?

Diastole is the phase of the cardiac cycle during which the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers fill with blood.

What is the significance of the diastolic pressure?

Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries during diastole, indicating the minimum pressure in the circulatory system and reflecting how well the heart fills with blood.

What are common diseases of the cardiovascular system?

Common cardiovascular diseases include coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, and stroke.

What is coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Coronary artery disease is a condition characterized by the narrowing or blockages of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

What are the primary causes of coronary artery disease?

The primary causes of coronary artery disease include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle.

What are arrhythmias?

Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats caused by issues with the electrical conduction system of the heart, which can lead to palpitations, dizziness, or fainting.

What causes arrhythmias?

Causes of arrhythmias may include heart disease, electrolyte imbalances, stress, certain medications, and excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is too high, potentially leading to heart disease and stroke.

What is insulin?

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells.

What is glucagon?

Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels by promoting the release of glucose from the liver into the bloodstream.

What is Type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin, typically diagnosed in children and young adults.

What is the treatment for Type 1 diabetes?

The treatment for Type 1 diabetes primarily involves insulin therapy, along with dietary management and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels.

What is Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency, commonly associated with obesity and lifestyle factors, typically developing in adulthood.

What are the treatment options for Type 2 diabetes?

Treatment options for Type 2 diabetes include lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), oral medications, and sometimes insulin therapy if blood sugar levels are not controlled.

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy, typically resolving after childbirth but increases the risk for Type 2 diabetes later.

What is bile?

Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which aids in the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine.

What hormones are primarily involved in the menstrual cycle?

The primary hormones involved in the menstrual cycle are estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

What role does estrogen play in the menstrual cycle?

Estrogen helps regulate the menstrual cycle, promotes the growth of the uterine lining, and triggers the release of LH for ovulation.

What role does progesterone play in the menstrual cycle?

Progesterone prepares the uterus for potential implantation of a fertilized egg and helps maintain the uterine lining during early pregnancy.

What is the role of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the menstrual cycle?

LH triggers ovulation and stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone after the egg is released.

What is the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the menstrual cycle?

FSH stimulates the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles in the ovary, promoting estrogen production.

How do hormones regulate pregnancy?

During pregnancy, hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and estrogen are crucial for maintaining the pregnancy and supporting fetal development.

What is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)?

hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta shortly after implantation, which helps maintain the corpus luteum and signals the body to sustain pregnancy.

What role do estrogen and progesterone play during pregnancy?

Estrogen and progesterone levels rise significantly during pregnancy to support fetal development, maintain the uterine lining, and prevent contractions.